Vintage Flames (Swiss Serendipity Series #1)

Prologue

"Please repeat what you said," dahan-dahan ngunit may riin kong sabi sa assistant ko.

"The media is furious, and they're blaming our wine for almost killing Matteo Di Luca," nakayukong sagot niya.

Almost killed his ass.

Ngayon ay nasa loob ako ng conference room kasama ang employees ko dahil agaran akong nagpatawag ng meeting matapos makita ang balitang kumakalat sa internet at mga reporters na naghihintay sa labas.

My top competitor in the winery industry, Matteo Di Luca, was almost killed after consuming one of our best-selling wines.

"Jade, which wine was it?" tanong ko sa babaeng nasa harap ko na nakakunot ang noo habang may tinintingnan sa laptop.

"It's our 2017 vintage of Opal Crescendo, CEO," tugon nito.

Umawang ang labi ko, "That's one of our most exclusive wines! How did he get his hands on it?"

" I... I'm not entirely sure, CEO. It's possible he obtained it through one of our distributors or connections."

One of the members of the Quality Control Team cleared his throat, "But, that wine is mainly made from grapes with a touch of blackberry. There shouldn't have been any significant cherry content to cause an allergic reaction."

"He's our competitor. Of course he's targeting us."

Napasandal ako sa swivel chair habang nakikinig sa pinag-uusapan ng mga tao sa harap ko.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. That jerk willingly consumed the wine despite knowing his allergy to cherries! Alam ko 'yon dahil magkakilala kami noon.

He is one of the well-known millionaires in Europe, the CEO of Noble Oak Estates, a wine company that has been competing with mine, Vintera Globe, since then. Noon pa lang ay pinag-iinitan niya na ang kompanya namin simula noong lumago ito kaya't nasanay na ako pero ito na ata ang pinaka-controbersyal sa lahat.

Why would he risk his own life for that? Or is he faking it? How desperate!

Natigilan ako sa pag-iisip nang sumagi sa tainga ko ang sinabi ng isang member ng board, "The issue is starting to spread like wildfire because he actually invited the media to the hospital himself!"

Mariin akong pumikit at huminga ng malalim para pigilan ang pag-aalburoto ko sa galit.

I snapped my fingers, "Draft a concise statement for the media. Show on our commitment to quality, rigorous testing, and that we are cooperating with authorities to investigate further. Marketing team, you know what to do," bumaling naman ako sa head ng Quality Control team, "We may need an external audit to validate our practices."

Tumango ito, "Noted. I can coordinate with experts to conduct the audit."

Tumayo ako at kinuha na ang kulay pula kong handbag, "Perfect. Keep me updated. I want to be informed about any developments. That's all for today. You may now dismiss."

Umingay ang room nang nagsitayuan na ang lahat. Mabilis akong naglakad palabas habang mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa lipstick kong ngayon ay ina-apply ko ngayon sa labi ko.

It's still 7 in the morning at ito talaga ang bumungad sakin. That jerk.

Dali-dali naman akong sinundan ni Nory, ang asisstant ko. May sinusulat siya sa iPad niya habang nagmamadaling maglakad para mapantayan ang bilis ng hakbang ko.

"What's my schedule for today, Nory?" tanong ko habang patuloy pa rin sa paglalakad. Itinago ko na ulit ang lipstick nang makuntento na sa nilalagay. Diretso ang tingin ko sa daan habang inaayos ang bangs ko.